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Vesrah Wins, AOD Second Overall In WERA 4-Hour At VIR

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Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Beth Wyse

Vesrah Suzuki continued to dominate the 2002 WERA/GMD Computrack National Endurance Series by taking a fourth consecutive victory, in a 4-hour race at Virginia International Raceway held Friday. Vesrah’s Tray Batey and John Jacobi won the red-flag-plagued race on a Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Army of Darkness (AOD) riders Jim Williams and Mark Crozier wound up second overall, 65 seconds behind the leaders, on a Suzuki GSX-R600. AOD also topped the Mediumweight Superbike class after an early-race battle with Vesrah Suzuki II.

S&S Endurance took third overall and first in Mediumweight Supersport in its first endurance race as a team. Red-flag delays allowed Scott Harwell to ride the entire race on the S&S Suzuki GSX-R600, without breaking series rules regarding the length of on-track riding stints (120 consecutive minutes) and off-track breaks between stints (30 minutes).

Batey pulled a gap on the field of 47 bikes at the start of the race, but the first red flag came out just short of the one-hour mark for a rider down in turn three. Batey took the lead again on the restart, but only rode for seven minutes before the second red flag came out for a bike that left oil through turns two and three before catching fire.

After a long clean-up period, the race was started for the third time just past the halfway point on the official race clock. Batey was still on the Vesrah Suzuki bike and once again took the lead. The third red flag flew with 15 minutes remaining for another bike on fire, and the race was called complete.

In the Heavyweight Supersport class, moto-heaven.com finished first in class and 11th overall. Justin Marm and Phil Caudill shared the riding on a Honda CBR600F4. Team Infotech took first in Lightweight Superbike and 14th overall with Bobby Miosek and Tommy Bauchiero on a Suzuki SV650.

Overall Results

1. Vesrah Suzuki (Tray Batey/John Jacobi), Suz GSX-R1000, HSB, 94 laps

2. AOD (Jim Williams/Mark Crozier), Suz GSX-R600, MSB, 94 laps

3. S&S Endurance (Scott Harwell), Suz GSX-R600, MSS, 94 laps

4. Vesrah Suzuki II (Dave Yaakov/Brian Stokes), Suz GSX-R600, MSB, 93 laps

5. Team Outa Sight (Jason Peters/Adam Coco), Suz GSX-R600, MSS, 91 laps

6. Northern Getaway (Mark Morrow/Tim Kephart), Suz GSX-R750, HSB, 91 laps

7. Team Velocity (Paul Aalderks/Chuck Ivey), Suz GSX-R600, MSS, 91 laps

8. Team Life (Joe Milanesi/Kevin Warner/Justin Marm), Yam YZFR6, MSS, 91 laps

9. Cycle Therapy Racing (Neil Mummau/Cole Regal/Ricky Ford), Suz GSX-R1000, HSB, 90 laps

10. Velocity Crew (Kevin Perkins/Paul Youngman), Suz GSX-R600, MSB, 90 laps

FIM Superbike Commission Votes To Allow 1000cc Fours For 2003

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From an official FIM press release:

In a meeting held today in Silverstone, the Superbike Commission, composed of Messrs. Claude Danis (FIM), Paolo Alberto Flammini (SBK International), Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA) and Giulio Bardi (Team representative), has
unanimously approved the following proposal:

-To allow 1000cc 4-cylinder motorcycles to take part in the 2003 Superbike World Championship. The 1000cc 4-cylinder motorcycles will compete under the current Superbike World Championship Technical Rules and Specifications except from:

a) The engines will have an air restrictor specified as follows:

-26.3 millimetres by 1

-18.7 millimetres by 2

b) Minimum weight: 168 kg

The above rule will therefore be included in the 2003 Superbike World Championship rulebook. For the sake of clarity, the current FIM Superbike World Championship rules will remain unchanged in 2003, save for the above provision.

FIM Road Racing Commission President Claude Danis will present this modification to the rules to the Managing Council in its session of June 22-23.

Bayliss, On Friday Qualifying At Silverstone

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From a press release issued by Troy Bayliss publicist:

TROY BAYLISS Racing – Media Information
For immediate release
Friday, 24 May 2002

Round 6, 2002 Superbike World Championship
Silverstone Circuit, England
First Qualifying Session Report

RAIN SLOWS SUPERBIKE QUALIFYING AT SILVERSTONE

Northamptonshire, England – A torrential downpour moments before the start of the opening qualifying session for this weekend’s sixth round of the Superbike World Championship at the Silverstone circuit in England forced a delayed start to the session that saw Britain’s Neil Hodgson (HM Plant Ducati) set the fastest time, while defending World Champion Troy Bayliss fell from his Infostrada Ducati in the closing minutes denying him a chance to challenge for the lead position.

With the 5.094km Northamptonshire circuit covered in water at the start of the one-hour long qualifying session, Bayliss was quick to adapt to the conditions consistently setting fast times in less than ideal conditions.

With the track conditions improving in the closing minutes, Bayliss along with a number of other riders switched from using full wet weather tyres and went to a combination of an intermediate front tyre, with a slick rear. The combination allowed the lap times to drop dramatically and saw a number of riders promote themselves well up the leader board.

Unfortunately for Bayliss, he was unable to capitalise on the improving track conditions as he fell from his Ducati 998 F-02 with less than five minutes remaining at the first of the double left-handers before the pit complex. He escaped any injury in the fall, but missed an opportunity to finish higher on the time sheets, finally being credited with the tenth fastest time of 1:56.705.

“With about five minutes to go we put a slick tyre on the rear and we ready to start doing some quick laps, but another rider fell just in front of me and I’m not sure what happened next, but the result was that I lost the front end of the bike and slid off the track,” said Bayliss. “I think it just baulked me a bit at the time and that was enough. There was no time left for me to go back out and do any more laps. For sure I would have liked to be higher, but that’s how it goes. It is only Friday and I was happy that I did the fastest time in the dry during this morning’s free practice session, so I’m just looking forward to tomorrow now.

“While the track was wet we did try a few different combinations with the bike, but didn’t spend too much time trying to work out a set up for totally wet conditions,” Bayliss added. “This track seems to dry quickly and the weather passes over just as quickly also. It’s not looking the best weather wise at the moment, but hopefully it will clear before Sunday.”

Fastest during today’s session was Neil Hodgson with a best lap of 1:54.095, followed by Colin Edwards (Castrol Honda, 1:54.404), Ben Bostrom (L&M Ducati, 1:55.098) and Chris Walker (Fuchs Kawasaki, 1:55.795). Even though the track was drying, the times were well down from Bayliss’ fast time of 1:49.709 set during the morning’s practice session.

Qualifying concludes tomorrow morning before the top sixteen riders take to the circuit later in the afternoon for the all important grid position determining Superpole one-lap dash.

First Qualifying Session, Friday (Top ten)

1. Neil Hodgson (HM Plant Ducati, 1:54.095

2. Colin Edwards (Castrol Honda), 1:54.404

3. Ben Bostrom (L&M Ducati), 1:55.098

4. Chris Walker (Fuchs Kawasaki), 1:55.795

5. Ruben Xaus (Infostrada Ducati), 1:56.146

6. Glen Richards (Hawk Racing Kawasaki), 1:56.216

7. Steve Hislop (Monstermob Ducati), 1:56.216

8. Michael Rutter (Renegade Ducati), 1:56.382

9. James Toseland (HM Plant Ducati), 1:56.643

10. Troy Bayliss (Infostrada Ducati), 1:56.705



2002 World Superbike championship points (after 5 of 13 rounds)
1. T. Bayliss, 224; 2. C. Edwards, 186; 3. N. Hodgson, 131; 4. N. Haga, 103; 5. Ben Bostrom, 102; 6. R. Xaus, 96; 7. J. Toseland, 68; 8. G. Lavilla/C. Walker, 58; 10. Hitoyasu Izutsu (Kawasaki), 47.



More, from an official press release issued by the series organizers:

PRESS RELEASE
Round 6 – Great Britain – Silverstone,
24 May – 26 May 2002

Silverstone, 24 May 2002

Hodgson On Provisional Pole

Changeable weather conditions and high winds made life hard for all riders during the first competitive SBK action at Silverstone.

The downpour that ruined the end of the Supersport session had abated by the time the first Superbike Qualifying Session came around, although the 5,094 metre track was fully wet at the start of the one hour qualifying slot.

Despite some consistent areas of running water and damp patches under the bridges, the track dried rapidly in many places, making for dramatic changes of fortunes as the qualifying order changed with every few seconds that passed.

Ultimately the fastest man was Neil Hodgson (HM Plant Ducati) thanks to his mark of 1:54.095.

Colin Edwards (Castrol Honda) almost took pole from the local hero, but could not quite exploit his final opportunity to set the best lap and finished 0.309 seconds down.

Languishing outside the top ten for significant periods, Ben Bostrom (L&M Ducati) shot towards the provisional front row in the last minute, and was joined on the top plateau of times by fourth-fastest qualifier Chris Walker (Kawasaki Racing Team).

Ruben Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) enjoyed his session, finishing fifth fastest and rebuilt some confidence after his recent spells of misfortune and injury.

Glen Richards (Hawk Racing Kawasaki) enjoyed a spectacular result on day one, the privateer wild card putting in a great performance against the big boys as he gambled on slick tyres front and rear and celebrated a big first day payout.

British Superbike Championship leader Steve Hislop (Monstermob Ducati) peaked a little too soon on the rapidly drying circuit, but still held off the Renegade Racing Ducati of Michael Rutter.

Regular SBK competitor James Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) took the first position on the third row of the provisional grid, thanks to his ninth-fastest time.

Troy Bayliss (Infostrada Ducati) fell from his machine in the last minutes and injured the ring finger of his left hand. He followed his physical fall with a tumble from his previously high qualifying position down to tenth.

A bumper day for the local entrants saw Shane Byrne (Renegade Ducati) take an excellent 11th.

Pierfrancesco Chili (NCR Ducati) did not have the opportunity to practice during the official test day on Wednesday 22 May, but nonetheless scored 12th place on the opening day of true competition.

Noriyuki Haga had a tough qualifying session scoring 16th and last provisional qualifying place on his FGF Aprilia, just beating factory Benelli rider Peter Goddard to a provisional Superpole start.

The unsettled weather conditions may see the times set today being the ones which are ultimately used for the determination of Superpole qualifying, and final grid positions for all other riders

In the Supersport Championship session, Fabien Foret, the Monza race winner, scored the psychological first blow, taking his Ten Kate Honda to the top of the timesheets.

Teenager Chris Vermeulen rode well to score second overall on his Van Zon Honda, with Karl Muggeridge in third on another Honda. Katsuaki Fujiwara, the third Monza podium finisher in the top four at Silverstone, took the fourth-best time on his Alstare Suzuki. The top finishing local rider was Iain Macpherson (Ten Kate Honda) fifth, with James Ellison (Kawasaki) 15th and James Whitham (Yamaha Belgarda) 17th.

The 45-minute Supersport session was interrupted by the aftermath of an accident, and then effectively lost the last five minutes due to a sudden downpour, causing a slight delay in the running of each subsequent session.

Michael Himmelsbach Starts F-USA Summit Point Cycle Fest With A Win And A New Lap Record

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Blackmans Aprilia’s Michael Himmelsbach rode his new AMA Superbike-spec Aprilia RSV1000 Mille R to a new motorcycle lap record for Summit Point Raceway en route to winning the CCS GTO Expert event, starting the Summit Point Cycle Fest at the West Virginia track. 14K The Movie’s Eric Wood got the holeshot for the 30-minute GTO event, but Himmelsbach took the lead on the first lap and set a new mark of 1:15.22, according to the starter’s hand-held stopwatch, on lap two. The old mark belonged to Arclight Suzuki’s Lee Acree at 1:15.488. Himmelsbach pitted mid-race to make adjustments, but shortly after, the race was stopped for a spectacular crash in turn 10. Realizing that he could re-start the race from the pole position after scoring was reverted to the last completed lap, Himmelsbach took the re-start, got the holeshot, led the remaining four laps and won the race by 2.4 seconds over KWS Motorsports’ Shawn Higbee on a Suzuki GSX-R750/813. Higbee had not raced at Summit Point for 13 years before Friday. Des Conboy took third on a Pepsi-sponsored GSX-R750 ahead of new Expert Nathan Kern, Roadracingworld.com’s Geoff May in fifth on a GSX-R1000 and Glenn Szarek on a Semoff Brothers Racing Suzuki GSX-R750. Szarek hadn’t raced for eight months prior to coming to Summit Point. Tim Bemisderfer rode away with the win in the Expert GTU 30-minute race on his Shenandoah Honda CBR600F4i over Jeff Wood and Eion Smith. Loudoun Motorsports’ Greg Harrison and Chuck Neighoff ran away with the SPR 250K Team Challenge race win. Harrison and Neighoff rode a Pirelli-slick-shod GSX-R1000 to win by two laps over second overall and GTU class winners Kevin Coles and Jeff Gochenour, riding the Yamaha of Camp Hill YZF-R6, and Rollin Fast’s Gregory Faiella and Anthony Fania, on another Yamaha R6. Team Orient Express’ Nathan Kern had run down Loudoun from behind early in the race on his Hooters Suzuki GSX-R600, but after he caught Harrison, Kern forgot that he was learning to shift in his partner Michael Barnes’ preferred GP-shift pattern, back-shifted to first instead of upshifting to third and crashed out of contention. Kern was unhurt and returned to ride the vast majority of his team’s race. Nearly every race winner Friday at Summit Point Raceway participated in the Team Hammer track day on Thursday. RESULTS: EXPERT GTO: 1. Michael Himmelsbach (Apr RSV1000R); 2. Shawn Higbee (Suz GSX-R750/813); 3. Des Conboy (Suz GSX-R750); 4. Nathan Kern (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R1000); 6. Glenn Szarek (Suz GSX-R750). AMATEUR GTO: 1. Leonard Santangelo (Suz GSX-R750); 2. Tomer Levy (Yam YZF-R6); 3. Howard Cho (Suz GSX-R750); 4. Brian Clippinger (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Sean Corbett (Kaw ZX-7RR); 6. Kevin Jones (Hon CBR600). EXPERT GT LIGHTS: 1. Grady Anderson (Suz SV650); 2. Bob Robbins (Suz SV650); 3. Randy Rega (Suz SV650); 4. Samantha Cotter (Hon RS125); 5. Thane Stielow (Hon 700); 6. Mark Johnson (Hon RS125). EXPERT GTU: 1. Tim Bemisderfer (Hon CBR600F4i); 2. Jeff Wood (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Eoin Smith (Yam YZF-R6); 4. David Lamb (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Dustin Moore (Duc 998); 6. Arthur Diaz (Yam YZF-R6). AMATEUR GTU: 1. Leonard Santangelo (Suz GSX-R600); 2. Kenneth Dreyer (Yam YZF-R6); 3. Mark Denisiuk (Yam YZF-R6); 4. Tomer Levy (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Thomas German (Hon CBR600); 6. David Hockenberry (Hon CBR600). EXPERT MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORTSMAN: 1. Donnie Unger (Duc 750); 2. Thane Stielow (Hon 700); 3. Patrick Salonis (Apr RS250); 4. Brian McClain (Apr RS250); 5. Brian Kjar (Apr RS250); 6. Scott Chatigny (Apr RS250). AMATEUR MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORTSMAN: 1. Timothy Ballard (Apr RS250); 2. Robert Glittone (Duc 750); 3. Ken White (Suz 400); 4. Raymond Nicolich (Suz GS500); 5. Matthew Patton (Suz GS500). GP SINGLES: 1. Samantha Cotter (Hon RS125); 2. Christopher Parsons (Yam TZ125); 3. Aaron Butler (Hon RS125); 4. Richard Rorilarz (Hon RS125). EXPERT LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTSMAN: 1. David Watson (Yam 600). AMATEUR LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTSMAN: 1. Chris Dunn (Yam YZF-R6); 2. Matthew Patton (Suz GS500); 3. James Smith (Suz GS500); 4. Raymond Nicolich (Suz GS500). SUPERSINGLES: 1. Bob Robbins (Yam YZ426F); 2. Michael Tiberio (Apr 650). SPR 250K TEAM CHALLENGE: GTO: 1. Loudoun Motorsports (Greg Harrison/Chuck Neighoff), Suz GSX-R1000, 78 laps; 2. New England Motorsports (Gus Holcomb/Mark Reynolds), Suz GSX-R600, 73 laps; 3. Dragging On Asphalt (Eric Lashley/Geoffrey Allen), Kaw ZX-9R, 72 laps; 4. Recchione Racing (Ryan Lettich/Chad Klock/Thomas German), Kaw ZX-7R, 68 laps; 5. Brontos R Us Racing (Russell Bigley), Yam TZ750, 49 laps. GTU: 1. Team Yamaha of Camp Hill (Kevin Coles/Jeff Gochenour), Yam YZF-R6, 76 laps; 2. Rollin Fast Moto (John Costa/Gregory Faiella/Anthony Fania, Jr.), Yam YZF-R6, 75 laps; 3. T And T Racing (Tony Tinsley/Anthony Cammack/Paolo Mariano), Suz GSX-R600, 73 laps; 4. T Bone Racing (Gregory Tymon/Glenn Jacobi/David Jacobi), Yam YZF-R6, 73 laps; 5. Pit Stop Motorsports (John Dempsey/Dale Dandrea/Mervin Roderick), Yam YZF-R6, 73 laps; 6. Team Knee Dragon (Matt Albertson/Michael Feast/Marc Sherwood), Suz GSX-R600, 72 laps. GT Lights: 1. Cycle Pros Racing (Sebastian Di Pinto/Romeo Carelli), Suz SV650, 73 laps; 2. Reduc Racing (Papa Thiam/Patrick O’Hara), Suz SV650, 72 laps; 3. Team All Star Pepsi (John Lounsbury/Malcolm Bradsher/Rich Doucette), Suz SV650, 71 laps; 4. Bare Bones (Patrick Salonis/Richard Biebel, Jr./Frank Cupo), Suz SV650, 70 laps; 5. Naked Boy Racing (Harold Jordan/Cordell Green), Buell Firebolt XB9R, 65 laps; 6. GS Flyers (Matthew Patton, Raymond Nicolich), Suz GS500, 10 laps.

Hodgson Leads Provisional World Superbike Qualifying At Silverstone, Edwards 2nd, Ben Bostrom 3rd, Eric Bostrom 24th

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Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Qualifying Times:

1. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 998F01, 1:54.095
2. Colin Edwards, Honda RC51, 1:54.404
3. Ben Bostrom, Ducati 998F02, 1:55.098
4. Chris Walker, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:55.795
5. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 998F02, 1:56.146
6. Glen Richards, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:56.216
7. Steve Hislop, Ducati 998RS, 1:56.284
8. Michael Rutter, Ducati 998RS, 1:56.382
9. James Toseland, Ducati 998F01, 1:56.643
10. Troy Bayliss, Ducati 998F02, 1:56.705
11. Shane Byrne, Ducati 998RS, 1:56.971
12. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:57.182
13. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:58.858
14. Dean Ellison, Ducati 996RS, 1:58.929
15. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:59.267
16. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia RSV1000, 1:59.765
17. Peter Goddard, Benelli Tornado 900, 1:59.917
18. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 2:00.208
19. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:00.390
20. Serafino Foti, Ducati 996RS, 2:01.033
21. Mark Heckles, Honda RC51, 2:01.566
22. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 2:01.648
23. Broc Parkes, Ducati 998RS, 2:02.297
24. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 2:03.185



More, from a press release issued by Ducati:

WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 6 – Silverstone (Great Britain)
Friday Qualifying

PROVISIONAL FRONT ROW FOR BOSTROM (DUCATI L&M) – FIFTH FOR XAUS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) – BAYLISS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) TENTH AFTER LAST-MINUTE CRASH

Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M) powered to third quickest time in Friday’s first qualifying session at Silverstone today, as rainstorms lashed the Grand Prix circuit and made conditions difficult for the WSBK riders on their first visit to the Northamptonshire track. As the track dried out in the last few minutes, championship leader Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) had a minor crash at Priory on his final run, ending the session in tenth. Team-mate Ruben Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) was always up at the front throughout the hour and finished in provisional fifth place. Ducati HM Plant rider Neil Hodgson continued his recent run of good form to take the overnight pole mark ahead of Colin Edwards (Honda), while Ducati ‘wild-card’ riders Steve Hislop (Monster Mob) and Michael Rutter (Renegade) also put in excellent performances to finish seventh and eighth respectively.

“Basically I just lost the front right at the end in the twisty section”, explained Troy. “I was pushing it a little too hard, we had just put a new tyre on and I was ready to go on the rapidly-drying track but just went down. There was a little bit of a damp spot there and I hurt my finger a little bit, but no dramas. We were at the top the whole session, just the last part let me down. I lost the front on an intermediate, I feel sure it would have been a good lap, but we’ll be up at the front tomorrow”.

“It was a really strange practice, you’re going out and in all the time and the lap times in the last five minutes went crazy” said Ruben. “We decided to put a slick on the back but it wasn’t easy to set a quick time in these conditions, especially when you come up on backmarkers. There’s only one line although it wasn’t dry all the way round, and everyone here is riding at a really high level so it’s difficult to pass because as soon as you make a move here you’re on the wet”.

“We had a really bad middle split on my quick lap when I got caught behind a Kawasaki halfway around” declared Ben, “but I’m happy to be third because if it rains tomorrow, it means I’m in the top four. The bike and the tyres are great, I just didn’t go fast enough. We’ve still got a bit more to learn around Silverstone, but I’m pretty happy with my performance today”.


Foret Fastest In Friday World Supersport Qualifying At Silverstone

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From a press release issued by Honda UK:

FORET LEADS HONDA TOP THREE AT SILVERSTONE

Honda’s Fabien Foret continued his challenge for the World Supersport championship title by setting the fastest time in Friday’s opening
qualifying session for the British round at Silverstone.

Frenchman Foret ­ second in the championship, just four points off the series lead ­ continued his run of form after winning round five of the
championship at Monza, Italy two weeks ago.

Foret, riding for the Dutch Ten Kate team, led a Honda top three as talented Australian youngster Chris Vermeulen was second quickest on the van Zon
CBR600 with Honda UK team rider Karl Muggeridge third after topping the leaderboard for much of the 45-minute session.

Muggeridge said: “I had a good session. It’s the first time at this circuit for everyone and I really like the place. We¹re getting the machine dialled in and Pirelli are confident about providing the race tyres to win.”

Katsuaki Fujiwara was fourth fastest to complete the provisional front row for Sunday’s 19-lap race. The session ended with two minutes to go as a heavy shower hit the 3.16-mile circuit.

Scotsman Iain MacPherson, riding alongside Foret in the Ten Kate Honda team, was fifth fastest with BKM Honda’s Christophe Cogan sixth.

Friday¹s World Supersport qualifying times: 1. Fabien Foret, France (Honda), 1:52.259; 2. Chris Vermeulen, Australia (Honda), 1:52.462: 3. Karl
Muggeridge, Australia (Honda), 1:52.926; 4. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Japan, (Suzuki), 1:53.091; 5. Iain MacPherson, GB (Honda), 1:53.135; 6. Christophe Cogan, France (Honda), 1:53.467; 7. Paolo Casoli, Italy (Yamaha), 1:53.504;
8. Christian Kellner, Germany (Yamaha), 1:53.556; 9. Stephane Chambon, France (Suzuki), 1:53.667; 10. Werner Daemen, Belgium (Honda), 1:53.798.


More, from a press release issued by Team Ten Kate:

Foret battles through wind and rain to provisional pole

Fabien Foret put his Ten Kate Honda onto provisional pole despite gusting wind and a rain squall that brought the first Supersport qualifying session to a premature end today.

Heavy rain had fallen throughout the night but the track dried before the World Supersport riders took to the Silverstone tarmac for the first timed qualifying session. Although the rain held off until the closing moments, the wind was gusting strongly, making life difficult for the riders around the former aerodrome.

“I’m happy with pole, naturally,” smiled Foret, winner at Monza two weeks ago. “But it was difficult in those conditions. But now if it rains for tomorrow¹s practice, I’ll stay on pole, but if it’s dry, then I know I can
go faster as we’ve some more progress to make in chassis set up. The WP Suspension guys are working really hard to perfect the set up. The problem here is bumps, the F1 cars really ripple up the surface and many of the corner exits are very bumpy. But it’s a challenge that I’m confident our technicians and the WP Suspension guys can rise to.”

His team mate Iain MacPherson finished fifth fastest, continuing to improve as he gets his riding style adapted to the Ten Kate Honda. “I think I could have gone faster still,” said MacPherson, “but I didn’t get a clear lap with
my best qualifying tyre on, then the rain came before I got back out again.”

Team Manager Ronald ten Kate was smiling again, “It seems we have lots to be happy about nowadays,” beamed ten Kate. “Coming straight from a win at the last round, and now here in first qualifying, we have four Ten Kate Honda’s in the top ten, with two on the provisional front row.

“Iain MacPherson has really benefited from the Misano test last week,” continued ten Kate, “he’s made some changes to the bike’s set up to suit his riding style and it’s definitely working. Even if it rains for the race we’ll be strong, Pirelli have provided us with some excellent wet weather tyres.”

More Proof That Rich Oliver Hit His Head When He Crashed At Sears Point

From a press release issued by Team Oliver Yamaha:

Further explanation of Oliver’s hospitalization:

Rich Oliver has been inundated with requests for a further explanation of his recent hospitalization at the Santa Rosa Trauma center. In his team’s last press release on the subject, Rich had indicated he was using his injuries to avoid having to drive the team rig from race to race. But apparently there was more to the story and the facts of his treatment and week long stay are now just coming to light.

“Yes, it’s true, I was leaving some aspects of my treatment out of the last release”, said Rich. “Frankly, it’s embarrassing.” When pushed further, Rich gave this clarification, “Well I did have to go through four really painful and difficult operations, but I guess it really wasn’t so bad in between each one.”

Rich goes on, “up in Santa Rosa they are really close to the wine country, if not smack dab in it, so after the nursing staff found out I was a semi celebrity, I started getting what some would call special treatment. I had my own personal nutritionist, and she was great, I found out there is such a thing as an after 4pm Merlot intravenous bag. It was from a local vineyard, and it really took the edge off the pain, let me tell you! I think it was a 97. So once the wine started, it was great, because then she brought in a cheese and grape sampler plate, and a hot towel to clean your hands and face with, just like in first class.

Then my luck really changed because the guy next to me in my room got taken away, I’m not sure what happened to him, but I was happy cause he snored really loudly, and all he had was some minor problem like a silly broken femur or something. Well, in comes the new roommate, and she was a looker. Turns out she was doing a swim suit calendar photo shoot under Fort Point, in San Francisco, and a rouge wave caught her and hurled her down against the rocks. Well, we hit it off right away, and after I talked the nurse into hooking up a T fitting to the merlot bag, so my new roomy could have half of course, we started to exchange stories as well as our contact information. Turns out she was a big racing fan, and I was a big swimsuit fan, so we had a lot in common. After she told me about how her injuries would keep her from modeling for a while, I told her how I lost some of my toes, and it really got to her and she started to cry. She said it was a terrible thing to see any man lose an appendage, and boy did I agree. She then offered to help me feel better, and me being the gentleman I am, scooted the beds and the I V pole closer together to help her any way I could. Sure enough, right then in came the nurse with a 5 course meal from a local gourmet restaurant, and we had to continue after our fantastic meal.” Rich was unable to finish his comments at this point, sighting excruciating pain in his broken forearm, and left the interview incomplete.
More details will be released as they are available.

Team Oliver Yamaha is sponsored by:

Yamaha Motor Corp. USA
Dunlop Tires
Advanced Motion Controls
SHOEI Helmets
Silkolene Lubricants
Wilson’s Motorcycles
Sunsports Motorcycles
Auto Werks Paint
Rick Shell Crankshafts
Lindemann Engineering
Supertech
Sharkskinz
VP Racing Fuels
NGK Spark Plugs
EK Chain
AFAM
Chicken Hawk Tire Warmers
Kushitani Leathers
Helimot Leathers
Marietta Motorsports
Ferodo and Braketech
Frenotec
I Need Stickers. Com
Doc’s Custom and Collision
South Coast Inc.
AST Research
Cytomax, Cyto Sport

Melandri Has To Explain What He Meant When He Criticized His Bike At Le Mans

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From a press release issued by Aprilia:

Aprilia Racing Press Information

Noale, 23 May 2002

As was hoped, Marco Melandri and Jan Witteveen met to sort out their differences yesterday at the Racing Department of Noale. Marco was called in to clarify the situation which had, to some extent, marred the weekend at Le Mans.

Marco Melandri expressed all his regret for his recent statements to the Press, in which he had referred to his state of unease.

The current technical progress of the official RSW 250 was examined together with Ing. Witteveen and the Racing Department technicians, as were the solutions to be adopted so that Marco can improve his feeling with the bike.

There has always been great mutual esteem between Marco and Aprilia, and this was fully confirmed and it could be said that the of minds is now stronger than ever. Both have a common goal: to fight tooth and nail for victory in the world 250 class.

All attention is now focused on the next round of the World Championship: the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, where Aprilia and Marco Melandri intends to play a truly leading role.

Tul-aris Has More CCS Success At Blackhawk

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From a press release issued by Rob Tuluie:

Steve Johnson on the Tul-aris Sets Fast Time of Race Weekend at Blackhawk



Steve Johnson on the Tul-aris at Blackhawk Farms. Photo by Jack Beaudry.


Steve Johnson, riding Dr. Rob Tuluie’s Tul-aris GP bike, overcame the handicap of a 25th starting position and raced through the field to a 2nd place finish in the 8-lap Unlimited GP feature race.

Only early leader and multiple track-record holder Larry Denning (4&6 Racing Yamaha R1), who had the benefit of a front row starting position, was spared a pass by Steve on the Tul-aris. During the race, Steve set the fastest lap time of the race (and the entire weekend).

The amazing thing is that Steve did this while running in traffic and passing 24 riders, while the race leader had a clear track in front of him for the entire race!

Even so, Steve narrowed a 7 second gap to the leader at the start to a 4 second gap at the end of the race. Steve also finished 3rd in the over-crowded 23 lap GTO race, which we used for extra practice. Altogether, we covered 280 racing miles on the Tul-aris this weekend with no mechanical failures, just working on suspension setup, jetting and tire selection. Our set of Michelin racing slicks provided good grip and outstanding tire life – we managed to get 160 miles out of a medium-soft rear slick and even more out of the front slick. We used new front brakes, supplied by GP Tech, which worked outstandingly and allowed Steve to pull amazing late-braking maneuvers. By race day, we had our Ohlins suspension set up perfectly for this twisty and bumpy race track, enabling Steve to carry more cornering speed than anyone else. Only the motor, which had been run at 4 events in a row without a rebuild (Mid-America, Road America, Brainerd and now Blackhawk) is definitely in need of a fresh top end. Considering that typically racing 2-strokes need new top-ends every race weekend, the durability of the Hot Seat Performance Polaris engine parts is outstanding. Even our home-built powervalve controller and mechanism worked flawlessly all weekend!

We are itching to get back to Blackhawk to win – and we will pre-enter next time to assure a better starting position (starting positions are based on time of entry) – and to set the lap record. Steve thinks we pretty easily can go another second faster, considering the cool track temperatures (low 50 deg F) and lack of ultimate traction this weekend, with the extra power of a fresh motor and the benefit of a few clear racing laps!

We’d like to thank our sponsors and supporters: Hot Seat Performance, Nutec Racing Fuel, Walt Schaeffer Michelin, MRT, Ohlins USA, MTS Systems, Lofgren Racing/Manley Cycle, Yoyodyne Titanium, GP Tech and Headhunter Racing. Steve Johnson is sponsored by Delano Sport Center, Hi-Per Sports, Mason Racing Tires, EBC Brakes and Lockhart Phillips. This weekend’s Tul-aris race crew included Dave Heisserer, Dave Adolfson, Hardy Baehni and Chris Koening.

Surely One Of The Strangest Press Releases We’ve Ever Received

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From Team Oliver Yamaha:

Atlanta race report: Perry Melneciuc puts in solo effort to finish 5th in the race and stay in 2nd place in the 250 GP Championship, Oliver missing in action, relaxing in hospital!

Melneciuc does it all!

Team Oliver’s Perry Melneciuc had an exciting day of racing on Sunday at Road Atlanta, but the really hard work was done during the weeks leading up to the race, as Perry and his wife Kellee had to take over Team Oliver Yamaha at Sears Point after Rich Oliver was airlifted out after a crash, semi conscious and broken up, babbling about missing air fence!

First Perry and Kellee had to drive the rig to Road Atlanta, then fly home and pick up their motor home in Florida. Then they had to do a round of work to keep their business going and their customers satisfied. Then it was back on the road to Atlanta in the motor home, to set up the team pits and tent, and install a new motor in their primary race bike to replace a fast but unridable and unreliable motor designed by Rich Oliver. All of that required that Perry miss Thursday promoter practice putting him behind the rest of the 250 riders on track time! Nonetheless, Perry Qualified 4th for the main event starting on the front row, and rode a strong race to finish 5th. Perry comments, “I want to thank my wife Kellee, and my mechanic Shank Williams Jr. for all their help this race, they worked so hard to keep me in the points chase for the Championship, now it’s down to myself, Sorensen, Disalvo, and Sorbo.”

Points after Road Atlanta:

Sorensen, 137
Melneciuc, 106
Disalvo, 92
Sorbo, 91

Oliver found in Santa Rosa, hiding out and enjoying the fringe benefits of being in intensive care!

Rich Oliver spent a week in the hospital being pampered by the nursing staff and avoiding once again a long drive to Atlanta. After breaking his pelvis and losing a finger at Daytona, Rich had used that excuse to avoid driving the rig home from the Florida, and now has avoided another long drive by conveniently breaking his arm, fracturing his shoulder, grinding off a couple of toes, and concussing himself. “Well what can I say”, said Rich, “I think it’s a small price to pay, just think, when I was laying there in the hospital, high on morphine, catheter installed you know where and the nurse just about to give me a suppository so I could finally use the bathroom, I laughed, Ha Ha, no truck stop food for me!”

Rich plans to be back at Pikes Peak in Colorado, and to take over the driving duties from there on out. “I’m running out of digits to grind off, so I guess I better just bite the bullet and drive” whined the former Champ, “I’ll buy some new CD’s or something”


Team Oliver Yamaha is sponsored by:

Yamaha Motor Corp. USA
Dunlop Tires
Advanced Motion Controls
SHOEI Helmets
Silkolene Lubricants
Wilson’s Motorcycles
Sunsports Motorcycles
Auto Werks Paint
Rick Shell Crankshafts
Lindemann Engineering
Supertech
Sharkskinz
VP Racing Fuels
NGK Spark Plugs
EK Chain
AFAM
Chicken Hawk Tire Warmers
Kushitani Leathers
Helimot Leathers
Marietta Motorsports
Ferodo and Braketech
Frenotec
I Need Stickers. Com
Doc’s Custom and Collision
South Coast Inc.
AST Research
Cytomax, Cyto Sport

Vesrah Wins, AOD Second Overall In WERA 4-Hour At VIR

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Beth Wyse

Vesrah Suzuki continued to dominate the 2002 WERA/GMD Computrack National Endurance Series by taking a fourth consecutive victory, in a 4-hour race at Virginia International Raceway held Friday. Vesrah’s Tray Batey and John Jacobi won the red-flag-plagued race on a Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Army of Darkness (AOD) riders Jim Williams and Mark Crozier wound up second overall, 65 seconds behind the leaders, on a Suzuki GSX-R600. AOD also topped the Mediumweight Superbike class after an early-race battle with Vesrah Suzuki II.

S&S Endurance took third overall and first in Mediumweight Supersport in its first endurance race as a team. Red-flag delays allowed Scott Harwell to ride the entire race on the S&S Suzuki GSX-R600, without breaking series rules regarding the length of on-track riding stints (120 consecutive minutes) and off-track breaks between stints (30 minutes).

Batey pulled a gap on the field of 47 bikes at the start of the race, but the first red flag came out just short of the one-hour mark for a rider down in turn three. Batey took the lead again on the restart, but only rode for seven minutes before the second red flag came out for a bike that left oil through turns two and three before catching fire.

After a long clean-up period, the race was started for the third time just past the halfway point on the official race clock. Batey was still on the Vesrah Suzuki bike and once again took the lead. The third red flag flew with 15 minutes remaining for another bike on fire, and the race was called complete.

In the Heavyweight Supersport class, moto-heaven.com finished first in class and 11th overall. Justin Marm and Phil Caudill shared the riding on a Honda CBR600F4. Team Infotech took first in Lightweight Superbike and 14th overall with Bobby Miosek and Tommy Bauchiero on a Suzuki SV650.

Overall Results

1. Vesrah Suzuki (Tray Batey/John Jacobi), Suz GSX-R1000, HSB, 94 laps

2. AOD (Jim Williams/Mark Crozier), Suz GSX-R600, MSB, 94 laps

3. S&S Endurance (Scott Harwell), Suz GSX-R600, MSS, 94 laps

4. Vesrah Suzuki II (Dave Yaakov/Brian Stokes), Suz GSX-R600, MSB, 93 laps

5. Team Outa Sight (Jason Peters/Adam Coco), Suz GSX-R600, MSS, 91 laps

6. Northern Getaway (Mark Morrow/Tim Kephart), Suz GSX-R750, HSB, 91 laps

7. Team Velocity (Paul Aalderks/Chuck Ivey), Suz GSX-R600, MSS, 91 laps

8. Team Life (Joe Milanesi/Kevin Warner/Justin Marm), Yam YZFR6, MSS, 91 laps

9. Cycle Therapy Racing (Neil Mummau/Cole Regal/Ricky Ford), Suz GSX-R1000, HSB, 90 laps

10. Velocity Crew (Kevin Perkins/Paul Youngman), Suz GSX-R600, MSB, 90 laps

FIM Superbike Commission Votes To Allow 1000cc Fours For 2003

From an official FIM press release:

In a meeting held today in Silverstone, the Superbike Commission, composed of Messrs. Claude Danis (FIM), Paolo Alberto Flammini (SBK International), Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA) and Giulio Bardi (Team representative), has
unanimously approved the following proposal:

-To allow 1000cc 4-cylinder motorcycles to take part in the 2003 Superbike World Championship. The 1000cc 4-cylinder motorcycles will compete under the current Superbike World Championship Technical Rules and Specifications except from:

a) The engines will have an air restrictor specified as follows:

-26.3 millimetres by 1

-18.7 millimetres by 2

b) Minimum weight: 168 kg

The above rule will therefore be included in the 2003 Superbike World Championship rulebook. For the sake of clarity, the current FIM Superbike World Championship rules will remain unchanged in 2003, save for the above provision.

FIM Road Racing Commission President Claude Danis will present this modification to the rules to the Managing Council in its session of June 22-23.

Bayliss, On Friday Qualifying At Silverstone

From a press release issued by Troy Bayliss publicist:

TROY BAYLISS Racing – Media Information
For immediate release
Friday, 24 May 2002

Round 6, 2002 Superbike World Championship
Silverstone Circuit, England
First Qualifying Session Report

RAIN SLOWS SUPERBIKE QUALIFYING AT SILVERSTONE

Northamptonshire, England – A torrential downpour moments before the start of the opening qualifying session for this weekend’s sixth round of the Superbike World Championship at the Silverstone circuit in England forced a delayed start to the session that saw Britain’s Neil Hodgson (HM Plant Ducati) set the fastest time, while defending World Champion Troy Bayliss fell from his Infostrada Ducati in the closing minutes denying him a chance to challenge for the lead position.

With the 5.094km Northamptonshire circuit covered in water at the start of the one-hour long qualifying session, Bayliss was quick to adapt to the conditions consistently setting fast times in less than ideal conditions.

With the track conditions improving in the closing minutes, Bayliss along with a number of other riders switched from using full wet weather tyres and went to a combination of an intermediate front tyre, with a slick rear. The combination allowed the lap times to drop dramatically and saw a number of riders promote themselves well up the leader board.

Unfortunately for Bayliss, he was unable to capitalise on the improving track conditions as he fell from his Ducati 998 F-02 with less than five minutes remaining at the first of the double left-handers before the pit complex. He escaped any injury in the fall, but missed an opportunity to finish higher on the time sheets, finally being credited with the tenth fastest time of 1:56.705.

“With about five minutes to go we put a slick tyre on the rear and we ready to start doing some quick laps, but another rider fell just in front of me and I’m not sure what happened next, but the result was that I lost the front end of the bike and slid off the track,” said Bayliss. “I think it just baulked me a bit at the time and that was enough. There was no time left for me to go back out and do any more laps. For sure I would have liked to be higher, but that’s how it goes. It is only Friday and I was happy that I did the fastest time in the dry during this morning’s free practice session, so I’m just looking forward to tomorrow now.

“While the track was wet we did try a few different combinations with the bike, but didn’t spend too much time trying to work out a set up for totally wet conditions,” Bayliss added. “This track seems to dry quickly and the weather passes over just as quickly also. It’s not looking the best weather wise at the moment, but hopefully it will clear before Sunday.”

Fastest during today’s session was Neil Hodgson with a best lap of 1:54.095, followed by Colin Edwards (Castrol Honda, 1:54.404), Ben Bostrom (L&M Ducati, 1:55.098) and Chris Walker (Fuchs Kawasaki, 1:55.795). Even though the track was drying, the times were well down from Bayliss’ fast time of 1:49.709 set during the morning’s practice session.

Qualifying concludes tomorrow morning before the top sixteen riders take to the circuit later in the afternoon for the all important grid position determining Superpole one-lap dash.

First Qualifying Session, Friday (Top ten)

1. Neil Hodgson (HM Plant Ducati, 1:54.095

2. Colin Edwards (Castrol Honda), 1:54.404

3. Ben Bostrom (L&M Ducati), 1:55.098

4. Chris Walker (Fuchs Kawasaki), 1:55.795

5. Ruben Xaus (Infostrada Ducati), 1:56.146

6. Glen Richards (Hawk Racing Kawasaki), 1:56.216

7. Steve Hislop (Monstermob Ducati), 1:56.216

8. Michael Rutter (Renegade Ducati), 1:56.382

9. James Toseland (HM Plant Ducati), 1:56.643

10. Troy Bayliss (Infostrada Ducati), 1:56.705



2002 World Superbike championship points (after 5 of 13 rounds)
1. T. Bayliss, 224; 2. C. Edwards, 186; 3. N. Hodgson, 131; 4. N. Haga, 103; 5. Ben Bostrom, 102; 6. R. Xaus, 96; 7. J. Toseland, 68; 8. G. Lavilla/C. Walker, 58; 10. Hitoyasu Izutsu (Kawasaki), 47.



More, from an official press release issued by the series organizers:

PRESS RELEASE
Round 6 – Great Britain – Silverstone,
24 May – 26 May 2002

Silverstone, 24 May 2002

Hodgson On Provisional Pole

Changeable weather conditions and high winds made life hard for all riders during the first competitive SBK action at Silverstone.

The downpour that ruined the end of the Supersport session had abated by the time the first Superbike Qualifying Session came around, although the 5,094 metre track was fully wet at the start of the one hour qualifying slot.

Despite some consistent areas of running water and damp patches under the bridges, the track dried rapidly in many places, making for dramatic changes of fortunes as the qualifying order changed with every few seconds that passed.

Ultimately the fastest man was Neil Hodgson (HM Plant Ducati) thanks to his mark of 1:54.095.

Colin Edwards (Castrol Honda) almost took pole from the local hero, but could not quite exploit his final opportunity to set the best lap and finished 0.309 seconds down.

Languishing outside the top ten for significant periods, Ben Bostrom (L&M Ducati) shot towards the provisional front row in the last minute, and was joined on the top plateau of times by fourth-fastest qualifier Chris Walker (Kawasaki Racing Team).

Ruben Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) enjoyed his session, finishing fifth fastest and rebuilt some confidence after his recent spells of misfortune and injury.

Glen Richards (Hawk Racing Kawasaki) enjoyed a spectacular result on day one, the privateer wild card putting in a great performance against the big boys as he gambled on slick tyres front and rear and celebrated a big first day payout.

British Superbike Championship leader Steve Hislop (Monstermob Ducati) peaked a little too soon on the rapidly drying circuit, but still held off the Renegade Racing Ducati of Michael Rutter.

Regular SBK competitor James Toseland (HM Plant Ducati) took the first position on the third row of the provisional grid, thanks to his ninth-fastest time.

Troy Bayliss (Infostrada Ducati) fell from his machine in the last minutes and injured the ring finger of his left hand. He followed his physical fall with a tumble from his previously high qualifying position down to tenth.

A bumper day for the local entrants saw Shane Byrne (Renegade Ducati) take an excellent 11th.

Pierfrancesco Chili (NCR Ducati) did not have the opportunity to practice during the official test day on Wednesday 22 May, but nonetheless scored 12th place on the opening day of true competition.

Noriyuki Haga had a tough qualifying session scoring 16th and last provisional qualifying place on his FGF Aprilia, just beating factory Benelli rider Peter Goddard to a provisional Superpole start.

The unsettled weather conditions may see the times set today being the ones which are ultimately used for the determination of Superpole qualifying, and final grid positions for all other riders

In the Supersport Championship session, Fabien Foret, the Monza race winner, scored the psychological first blow, taking his Ten Kate Honda to the top of the timesheets.

Teenager Chris Vermeulen rode well to score second overall on his Van Zon Honda, with Karl Muggeridge in third on another Honda. Katsuaki Fujiwara, the third Monza podium finisher in the top four at Silverstone, took the fourth-best time on his Alstare Suzuki. The top finishing local rider was Iain Macpherson (Ten Kate Honda) fifth, with James Ellison (Kawasaki) 15th and James Whitham (Yamaha Belgarda) 17th.

The 45-minute Supersport session was interrupted by the aftermath of an accident, and then effectively lost the last five minutes due to a sudden downpour, causing a slight delay in the running of each subsequent session.

Michael Himmelsbach Starts F-USA Summit Point Cycle Fest With A Win And A New Lap Record

Blackmans Aprilia’s Michael Himmelsbach rode his new AMA Superbike-spec Aprilia RSV1000 Mille R to a new motorcycle lap record for Summit Point Raceway en route to winning the CCS GTO Expert event, starting the Summit Point Cycle Fest at the West Virginia track. 14K The Movie’s Eric Wood got the holeshot for the 30-minute GTO event, but Himmelsbach took the lead on the first lap and set a new mark of 1:15.22, according to the starter’s hand-held stopwatch, on lap two. The old mark belonged to Arclight Suzuki’s Lee Acree at 1:15.488. Himmelsbach pitted mid-race to make adjustments, but shortly after, the race was stopped for a spectacular crash in turn 10. Realizing that he could re-start the race from the pole position after scoring was reverted to the last completed lap, Himmelsbach took the re-start, got the holeshot, led the remaining four laps and won the race by 2.4 seconds over KWS Motorsports’ Shawn Higbee on a Suzuki GSX-R750/813. Higbee had not raced at Summit Point for 13 years before Friday. Des Conboy took third on a Pepsi-sponsored GSX-R750 ahead of new Expert Nathan Kern, Roadracingworld.com’s Geoff May in fifth on a GSX-R1000 and Glenn Szarek on a Semoff Brothers Racing Suzuki GSX-R750. Szarek hadn’t raced for eight months prior to coming to Summit Point. Tim Bemisderfer rode away with the win in the Expert GTU 30-minute race on his Shenandoah Honda CBR600F4i over Jeff Wood and Eion Smith. Loudoun Motorsports’ Greg Harrison and Chuck Neighoff ran away with the SPR 250K Team Challenge race win. Harrison and Neighoff rode a Pirelli-slick-shod GSX-R1000 to win by two laps over second overall and GTU class winners Kevin Coles and Jeff Gochenour, riding the Yamaha of Camp Hill YZF-R6, and Rollin Fast’s Gregory Faiella and Anthony Fania, on another Yamaha R6. Team Orient Express’ Nathan Kern had run down Loudoun from behind early in the race on his Hooters Suzuki GSX-R600, but after he caught Harrison, Kern forgot that he was learning to shift in his partner Michael Barnes’ preferred GP-shift pattern, back-shifted to first instead of upshifting to third and crashed out of contention. Kern was unhurt and returned to ride the vast majority of his team’s race. Nearly every race winner Friday at Summit Point Raceway participated in the Team Hammer track day on Thursday. RESULTS: EXPERT GTO: 1. Michael Himmelsbach (Apr RSV1000R); 2. Shawn Higbee (Suz GSX-R750/813); 3. Des Conboy (Suz GSX-R750); 4. Nathan Kern (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Geoff May (Suz GSX-R1000); 6. Glenn Szarek (Suz GSX-R750). AMATEUR GTO: 1. Leonard Santangelo (Suz GSX-R750); 2. Tomer Levy (Yam YZF-R6); 3. Howard Cho (Suz GSX-R750); 4. Brian Clippinger (Suz GSX-R750); 5. Sean Corbett (Kaw ZX-7RR); 6. Kevin Jones (Hon CBR600). EXPERT GT LIGHTS: 1. Grady Anderson (Suz SV650); 2. Bob Robbins (Suz SV650); 3. Randy Rega (Suz SV650); 4. Samantha Cotter (Hon RS125); 5. Thane Stielow (Hon 700); 6. Mark Johnson (Hon RS125). EXPERT GTU: 1. Tim Bemisderfer (Hon CBR600F4i); 2. Jeff Wood (Suz GSX-R600); 3. Eoin Smith (Yam YZF-R6); 4. David Lamb (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Dustin Moore (Duc 998); 6. Arthur Diaz (Yam YZF-R6). AMATEUR GTU: 1. Leonard Santangelo (Suz GSX-R600); 2. Kenneth Dreyer (Yam YZF-R6); 3. Mark Denisiuk (Yam YZF-R6); 4. Tomer Levy (Yam YZF-R6); 5. Thomas German (Hon CBR600); 6. David Hockenberry (Hon CBR600). EXPERT MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORTSMAN: 1. Donnie Unger (Duc 750); 2. Thane Stielow (Hon 700); 3. Patrick Salonis (Apr RS250); 4. Brian McClain (Apr RS250); 5. Brian Kjar (Apr RS250); 6. Scott Chatigny (Apr RS250). AMATEUR MIDDLEWEIGHT SPORTSMAN: 1. Timothy Ballard (Apr RS250); 2. Robert Glittone (Duc 750); 3. Ken White (Suz 400); 4. Raymond Nicolich (Suz GS500); 5. Matthew Patton (Suz GS500). GP SINGLES: 1. Samantha Cotter (Hon RS125); 2. Christopher Parsons (Yam TZ125); 3. Aaron Butler (Hon RS125); 4. Richard Rorilarz (Hon RS125). EXPERT LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTSMAN: 1. David Watson (Yam 600). AMATEUR LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTSMAN: 1. Chris Dunn (Yam YZF-R6); 2. Matthew Patton (Suz GS500); 3. James Smith (Suz GS500); 4. Raymond Nicolich (Suz GS500). SUPERSINGLES: 1. Bob Robbins (Yam YZ426F); 2. Michael Tiberio (Apr 650). SPR 250K TEAM CHALLENGE: GTO: 1. Loudoun Motorsports (Greg Harrison/Chuck Neighoff), Suz GSX-R1000, 78 laps; 2. New England Motorsports (Gus Holcomb/Mark Reynolds), Suz GSX-R600, 73 laps; 3. Dragging On Asphalt (Eric Lashley/Geoffrey Allen), Kaw ZX-9R, 72 laps; 4. Recchione Racing (Ryan Lettich/Chad Klock/Thomas German), Kaw ZX-7R, 68 laps; 5. Brontos R Us Racing (Russell Bigley), Yam TZ750, 49 laps. GTU: 1. Team Yamaha of Camp Hill (Kevin Coles/Jeff Gochenour), Yam YZF-R6, 76 laps; 2. Rollin Fast Moto (John Costa/Gregory Faiella/Anthony Fania, Jr.), Yam YZF-R6, 75 laps; 3. T And T Racing (Tony Tinsley/Anthony Cammack/Paolo Mariano), Suz GSX-R600, 73 laps; 4. T Bone Racing (Gregory Tymon/Glenn Jacobi/David Jacobi), Yam YZF-R6, 73 laps; 5. Pit Stop Motorsports (John Dempsey/Dale Dandrea/Mervin Roderick), Yam YZF-R6, 73 laps; 6. Team Knee Dragon (Matt Albertson/Michael Feast/Marc Sherwood), Suz GSX-R600, 72 laps. GT Lights: 1. Cycle Pros Racing (Sebastian Di Pinto/Romeo Carelli), Suz SV650, 73 laps; 2. Reduc Racing (Papa Thiam/Patrick O’Hara), Suz SV650, 72 laps; 3. Team All Star Pepsi (John Lounsbury/Malcolm Bradsher/Rich Doucette), Suz SV650, 71 laps; 4. Bare Bones (Patrick Salonis/Richard Biebel, Jr./Frank Cupo), Suz SV650, 70 laps; 5. Naked Boy Racing (Harold Jordan/Cordell Green), Buell Firebolt XB9R, 65 laps; 6. GS Flyers (Matthew Patton, Raymond Nicolich), Suz GS500, 10 laps.

Hodgson Leads Provisional World Superbike Qualifying At Silverstone, Edwards 2nd, Ben Bostrom 3rd, Eric Bostrom 24th

Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Qualifying Times:

1. Neil Hodgson, Ducati 998F01, 1:54.095
2. Colin Edwards, Honda RC51, 1:54.404
3. Ben Bostrom, Ducati 998F02, 1:55.098
4. Chris Walker, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:55.795
5. Ruben Xaus, Ducati 998F02, 1:56.146
6. Glen Richards, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:56.216
7. Steve Hislop, Ducati 998RS, 1:56.284
8. Michael Rutter, Ducati 998RS, 1:56.382
9. James Toseland, Ducati 998F01, 1:56.643
10. Troy Bayliss, Ducati 998F02, 1:56.705
11. Shane Byrne, Ducati 998RS, 1:56.971
12. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, 1:57.182
13. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 1:58.858
14. Dean Ellison, Ducati 996RS, 1:58.929
15. Marco Borciani, Ducati 998RS, 1:59.267
16. Noriyuki Haga, Aprilia RSV1000, 1:59.765
17. Peter Goddard, Benelli Tornado 900, 1:59.917
18. Steve Martin, Ducati 998RS, 2:00.208
19. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki GSX-R750, 2:00.390
20. Serafino Foti, Ducati 996RS, 2:01.033
21. Mark Heckles, Honda RC51, 2:01.566
22. Juan Borja, Ducati 998RS, 2:01.648
23. Broc Parkes, Ducati 998RS, 2:02.297
24. Eric Bostrom, Kawasaki ZX-7RR, 2:03.185



More, from a press release issued by Ducati:

WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 6 – Silverstone (Great Britain)
Friday Qualifying

PROVISIONAL FRONT ROW FOR BOSTROM (DUCATI L&M) – FIFTH FOR XAUS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) – BAYLISS (DUCATI INFOSTRADA) TENTH AFTER LAST-MINUTE CRASH

Ben Bostrom (Ducati L&M) powered to third quickest time in Friday’s first qualifying session at Silverstone today, as rainstorms lashed the Grand Prix circuit and made conditions difficult for the WSBK riders on their first visit to the Northamptonshire track. As the track dried out in the last few minutes, championship leader Troy Bayliss (Ducati Infostrada) had a minor crash at Priory on his final run, ending the session in tenth. Team-mate Ruben Xaus (Ducati Infostrada) was always up at the front throughout the hour and finished in provisional fifth place. Ducati HM Plant rider Neil Hodgson continued his recent run of good form to take the overnight pole mark ahead of Colin Edwards (Honda), while Ducati ‘wild-card’ riders Steve Hislop (Monster Mob) and Michael Rutter (Renegade) also put in excellent performances to finish seventh and eighth respectively.

“Basically I just lost the front right at the end in the twisty section”, explained Troy. “I was pushing it a little too hard, we had just put a new tyre on and I was ready to go on the rapidly-drying track but just went down. There was a little bit of a damp spot there and I hurt my finger a little bit, but no dramas. We were at the top the whole session, just the last part let me down. I lost the front on an intermediate, I feel sure it would have been a good lap, but we’ll be up at the front tomorrow”.

“It was a really strange practice, you’re going out and in all the time and the lap times in the last five minutes went crazy” said Ruben. “We decided to put a slick on the back but it wasn’t easy to set a quick time in these conditions, especially when you come up on backmarkers. There’s only one line although it wasn’t dry all the way round, and everyone here is riding at a really high level so it’s difficult to pass because as soon as you make a move here you’re on the wet”.

“We had a really bad middle split on my quick lap when I got caught behind a Kawasaki halfway around” declared Ben, “but I’m happy to be third because if it rains tomorrow, it means I’m in the top four. The bike and the tyres are great, I just didn’t go fast enough. We’ve still got a bit more to learn around Silverstone, but I’m pretty happy with my performance today”.


Foret Fastest In Friday World Supersport Qualifying At Silverstone

From a press release issued by Honda UK:

FORET LEADS HONDA TOP THREE AT SILVERSTONE

Honda’s Fabien Foret continued his challenge for the World Supersport championship title by setting the fastest time in Friday’s opening
qualifying session for the British round at Silverstone.

Frenchman Foret ­ second in the championship, just four points off the series lead ­ continued his run of form after winning round five of the
championship at Monza, Italy two weeks ago.

Foret, riding for the Dutch Ten Kate team, led a Honda top three as talented Australian youngster Chris Vermeulen was second quickest on the van Zon
CBR600 with Honda UK team rider Karl Muggeridge third after topping the leaderboard for much of the 45-minute session.

Muggeridge said: “I had a good session. It’s the first time at this circuit for everyone and I really like the place. We¹re getting the machine dialled in and Pirelli are confident about providing the race tyres to win.”

Katsuaki Fujiwara was fourth fastest to complete the provisional front row for Sunday’s 19-lap race. The session ended with two minutes to go as a heavy shower hit the 3.16-mile circuit.

Scotsman Iain MacPherson, riding alongside Foret in the Ten Kate Honda team, was fifth fastest with BKM Honda’s Christophe Cogan sixth.

Friday¹s World Supersport qualifying times: 1. Fabien Foret, France (Honda), 1:52.259; 2. Chris Vermeulen, Australia (Honda), 1:52.462: 3. Karl
Muggeridge, Australia (Honda), 1:52.926; 4. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Japan, (Suzuki), 1:53.091; 5. Iain MacPherson, GB (Honda), 1:53.135; 6. Christophe Cogan, France (Honda), 1:53.467; 7. Paolo Casoli, Italy (Yamaha), 1:53.504;
8. Christian Kellner, Germany (Yamaha), 1:53.556; 9. Stephane Chambon, France (Suzuki), 1:53.667; 10. Werner Daemen, Belgium (Honda), 1:53.798.


More, from a press release issued by Team Ten Kate:

Foret battles through wind and rain to provisional pole

Fabien Foret put his Ten Kate Honda onto provisional pole despite gusting wind and a rain squall that brought the first Supersport qualifying session to a premature end today.

Heavy rain had fallen throughout the night but the track dried before the World Supersport riders took to the Silverstone tarmac for the first timed qualifying session. Although the rain held off until the closing moments, the wind was gusting strongly, making life difficult for the riders around the former aerodrome.

“I’m happy with pole, naturally,” smiled Foret, winner at Monza two weeks ago. “But it was difficult in those conditions. But now if it rains for tomorrow¹s practice, I’ll stay on pole, but if it’s dry, then I know I can
go faster as we’ve some more progress to make in chassis set up. The WP Suspension guys are working really hard to perfect the set up. The problem here is bumps, the F1 cars really ripple up the surface and many of the corner exits are very bumpy. But it’s a challenge that I’m confident our technicians and the WP Suspension guys can rise to.”

His team mate Iain MacPherson finished fifth fastest, continuing to improve as he gets his riding style adapted to the Ten Kate Honda. “I think I could have gone faster still,” said MacPherson, “but I didn’t get a clear lap with
my best qualifying tyre on, then the rain came before I got back out again.”

Team Manager Ronald ten Kate was smiling again, “It seems we have lots to be happy about nowadays,” beamed ten Kate. “Coming straight from a win at the last round, and now here in first qualifying, we have four Ten Kate Honda’s in the top ten, with two on the provisional front row.

“Iain MacPherson has really benefited from the Misano test last week,” continued ten Kate, “he’s made some changes to the bike’s set up to suit his riding style and it’s definitely working. Even if it rains for the race we’ll be strong, Pirelli have provided us with some excellent wet weather tyres.”

More Proof That Rich Oliver Hit His Head When He Crashed At Sears Point

From a press release issued by Team Oliver Yamaha:

Further explanation of Oliver’s hospitalization:

Rich Oliver has been inundated with requests for a further explanation of his recent hospitalization at the Santa Rosa Trauma center. In his team’s last press release on the subject, Rich had indicated he was using his injuries to avoid having to drive the team rig from race to race. But apparently there was more to the story and the facts of his treatment and week long stay are now just coming to light.

“Yes, it’s true, I was leaving some aspects of my treatment out of the last release”, said Rich. “Frankly, it’s embarrassing.” When pushed further, Rich gave this clarification, “Well I did have to go through four really painful and difficult operations, but I guess it really wasn’t so bad in between each one.”

Rich goes on, “up in Santa Rosa they are really close to the wine country, if not smack dab in it, so after the nursing staff found out I was a semi celebrity, I started getting what some would call special treatment. I had my own personal nutritionist, and she was great, I found out there is such a thing as an after 4pm Merlot intravenous bag. It was from a local vineyard, and it really took the edge off the pain, let me tell you! I think it was a 97. So once the wine started, it was great, because then she brought in a cheese and grape sampler plate, and a hot towel to clean your hands and face with, just like in first class.

Then my luck really changed because the guy next to me in my room got taken away, I’m not sure what happened to him, but I was happy cause he snored really loudly, and all he had was some minor problem like a silly broken femur or something. Well, in comes the new roommate, and she was a looker. Turns out she was doing a swim suit calendar photo shoot under Fort Point, in San Francisco, and a rouge wave caught her and hurled her down against the rocks. Well, we hit it off right away, and after I talked the nurse into hooking up a T fitting to the merlot bag, so my new roomy could have half of course, we started to exchange stories as well as our contact information. Turns out she was a big racing fan, and I was a big swimsuit fan, so we had a lot in common. After she told me about how her injuries would keep her from modeling for a while, I told her how I lost some of my toes, and it really got to her and she started to cry. She said it was a terrible thing to see any man lose an appendage, and boy did I agree. She then offered to help me feel better, and me being the gentleman I am, scooted the beds and the I V pole closer together to help her any way I could. Sure enough, right then in came the nurse with a 5 course meal from a local gourmet restaurant, and we had to continue after our fantastic meal.” Rich was unable to finish his comments at this point, sighting excruciating pain in his broken forearm, and left the interview incomplete.
More details will be released as they are available.

Team Oliver Yamaha is sponsored by:

Yamaha Motor Corp. USA
Dunlop Tires
Advanced Motion Controls
SHOEI Helmets
Silkolene Lubricants
Wilson’s Motorcycles
Sunsports Motorcycles
Auto Werks Paint
Rick Shell Crankshafts
Lindemann Engineering
Supertech
Sharkskinz
VP Racing Fuels
NGK Spark Plugs
EK Chain
AFAM
Chicken Hawk Tire Warmers
Kushitani Leathers
Helimot Leathers
Marietta Motorsports
Ferodo and Braketech
Frenotec
I Need Stickers. Com
Doc’s Custom and Collision
South Coast Inc.
AST Research
Cytomax, Cyto Sport

Melandri Has To Explain What He Meant When He Criticized His Bike At Le Mans

From a press release issued by Aprilia:

Aprilia Racing Press Information

Noale, 23 May 2002

As was hoped, Marco Melandri and Jan Witteveen met to sort out their differences yesterday at the Racing Department of Noale. Marco was called in to clarify the situation which had, to some extent, marred the weekend at Le Mans.

Marco Melandri expressed all his regret for his recent statements to the Press, in which he had referred to his state of unease.

The current technical progress of the official RSW 250 was examined together with Ing. Witteveen and the Racing Department technicians, as were the solutions to be adopted so that Marco can improve his feeling with the bike.

There has always been great mutual esteem between Marco and Aprilia, and this was fully confirmed and it could be said that the of minds is now stronger than ever. Both have a common goal: to fight tooth and nail for victory in the world 250 class.

All attention is now focused on the next round of the World Championship: the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, where Aprilia and Marco Melandri intends to play a truly leading role.

Tul-aris Has More CCS Success At Blackhawk

From a press release issued by Rob Tuluie:

Steve Johnson on the Tul-aris Sets Fast Time of Race Weekend at Blackhawk



Steve Johnson on the Tul-aris at Blackhawk Farms. Photo by Jack Beaudry.


Steve Johnson, riding Dr. Rob Tuluie’s Tul-aris GP bike, overcame the handicap of a 25th starting position and raced through the field to a 2nd place finish in the 8-lap Unlimited GP feature race.

Only early leader and multiple track-record holder Larry Denning (4&6 Racing Yamaha R1), who had the benefit of a front row starting position, was spared a pass by Steve on the Tul-aris. During the race, Steve set the fastest lap time of the race (and the entire weekend).

The amazing thing is that Steve did this while running in traffic and passing 24 riders, while the race leader had a clear track in front of him for the entire race!

Even so, Steve narrowed a 7 second gap to the leader at the start to a 4 second gap at the end of the race. Steve also finished 3rd in the over-crowded 23 lap GTO race, which we used for extra practice. Altogether, we covered 280 racing miles on the Tul-aris this weekend with no mechanical failures, just working on suspension setup, jetting and tire selection. Our set of Michelin racing slicks provided good grip and outstanding tire life – we managed to get 160 miles out of a medium-soft rear slick and even more out of the front slick. We used new front brakes, supplied by GP Tech, which worked outstandingly and allowed Steve to pull amazing late-braking maneuvers. By race day, we had our Ohlins suspension set up perfectly for this twisty and bumpy race track, enabling Steve to carry more cornering speed than anyone else. Only the motor, which had been run at 4 events in a row without a rebuild (Mid-America, Road America, Brainerd and now Blackhawk) is definitely in need of a fresh top end. Considering that typically racing 2-strokes need new top-ends every race weekend, the durability of the Hot Seat Performance Polaris engine parts is outstanding. Even our home-built powervalve controller and mechanism worked flawlessly all weekend!

We are itching to get back to Blackhawk to win – and we will pre-enter next time to assure a better starting position (starting positions are based on time of entry) – and to set the lap record. Steve thinks we pretty easily can go another second faster, considering the cool track temperatures (low 50 deg F) and lack of ultimate traction this weekend, with the extra power of a fresh motor and the benefit of a few clear racing laps!

We’d like to thank our sponsors and supporters: Hot Seat Performance, Nutec Racing Fuel, Walt Schaeffer Michelin, MRT, Ohlins USA, MTS Systems, Lofgren Racing/Manley Cycle, Yoyodyne Titanium, GP Tech and Headhunter Racing. Steve Johnson is sponsored by Delano Sport Center, Hi-Per Sports, Mason Racing Tires, EBC Brakes and Lockhart Phillips. This weekend’s Tul-aris race crew included Dave Heisserer, Dave Adolfson, Hardy Baehni and Chris Koening.

Surely One Of The Strangest Press Releases We’ve Ever Received

From Team Oliver Yamaha:

Atlanta race report: Perry Melneciuc puts in solo effort to finish 5th in the race and stay in 2nd place in the 250 GP Championship, Oliver missing in action, relaxing in hospital!

Melneciuc does it all!

Team Oliver’s Perry Melneciuc had an exciting day of racing on Sunday at Road Atlanta, but the really hard work was done during the weeks leading up to the race, as Perry and his wife Kellee had to take over Team Oliver Yamaha at Sears Point after Rich Oliver was airlifted out after a crash, semi conscious and broken up, babbling about missing air fence!

First Perry and Kellee had to drive the rig to Road Atlanta, then fly home and pick up their motor home in Florida. Then they had to do a round of work to keep their business going and their customers satisfied. Then it was back on the road to Atlanta in the motor home, to set up the team pits and tent, and install a new motor in their primary race bike to replace a fast but unridable and unreliable motor designed by Rich Oliver. All of that required that Perry miss Thursday promoter practice putting him behind the rest of the 250 riders on track time! Nonetheless, Perry Qualified 4th for the main event starting on the front row, and rode a strong race to finish 5th. Perry comments, “I want to thank my wife Kellee, and my mechanic Shank Williams Jr. for all their help this race, they worked so hard to keep me in the points chase for the Championship, now it’s down to myself, Sorensen, Disalvo, and Sorbo.”

Points after Road Atlanta:

Sorensen, 137
Melneciuc, 106
Disalvo, 92
Sorbo, 91

Oliver found in Santa Rosa, hiding out and enjoying the fringe benefits of being in intensive care!

Rich Oliver spent a week in the hospital being pampered by the nursing staff and avoiding once again a long drive to Atlanta. After breaking his pelvis and losing a finger at Daytona, Rich had used that excuse to avoid driving the rig home from the Florida, and now has avoided another long drive by conveniently breaking his arm, fracturing his shoulder, grinding off a couple of toes, and concussing himself. “Well what can I say”, said Rich, “I think it’s a small price to pay, just think, when I was laying there in the hospital, high on morphine, catheter installed you know where and the nurse just about to give me a suppository so I could finally use the bathroom, I laughed, Ha Ha, no truck stop food for me!”

Rich plans to be back at Pikes Peak in Colorado, and to take over the driving duties from there on out. “I’m running out of digits to grind off, so I guess I better just bite the bullet and drive” whined the former Champ, “I’ll buy some new CD’s or something”


Team Oliver Yamaha is sponsored by:

Yamaha Motor Corp. USA
Dunlop Tires
Advanced Motion Controls
SHOEI Helmets
Silkolene Lubricants
Wilson’s Motorcycles
Sunsports Motorcycles
Auto Werks Paint
Rick Shell Crankshafts
Lindemann Engineering
Supertech
Sharkskinz
VP Racing Fuels
NGK Spark Plugs
EK Chain
AFAM
Chicken Hawk Tire Warmers
Kushitani Leathers
Helimot Leathers
Marietta Motorsports
Ferodo and Braketech
Frenotec
I Need Stickers. Com
Doc’s Custom and Collision
South Coast Inc.
AST Research
Cytomax, Cyto Sport

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